DEEP DIVE: Mike Leigh, part 4 - Past Lives
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And finally, we've arrived at the final part of the Deep Dive into Mike Leigh's filmography! I can't believe how far we've come and I want to thank the Academy and my friends for the support!
It's almost a requirement to be a British director to make at least one period piece. Well, Mike Leigh's got 3! We know Mike Leigh can work magic within the confines of the everyday working class, but can he pull out the same complicated characters from a more admittedly stuffy eras? The answer is yes given that 2 of the films we're gonna look at are some of his most acclaimed films! Let's dive in.
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Films:
- Topsy-Turvy (1999):
Synopsis: Set in the 1880s, chronicles how during a creative dry spell, the partnership of the legendary musical/theatrical writers Gilbert and Sullivan almost dissolves, before they turn it all around and write the Mikado.
Stream: HBO Max, FREE on Youtube - Mr. Turner (2014):
Synopsis: J.M.W. Turner, an unconventional British painter, goes down memory lane and recalls his romantic relationship with a seaside landlady and the various accolades he received for his works of art.
Stream: Amazon Prime, FREE on Youtube - Peterloo (2018):
Synopsis: The story of the 1819 Peterloo Massacre in which British forces attacked a peaceful pro-democracy rally in Manchester.
Stream: Amazon Prime
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If you have trouble finding ANY of these films, please let me know ASAP and I'll get you together. Please keep your RSVPs updated as soon as possible and not the day of, hopefully! Happy watching.
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Resources:
Every Mike Leigh movie Explained by Mike Leigh (SPOILERS! obvi)